Secret Perks You Can Ask for on Cruises

If you’re looking for more space or a better view, there’s a chance you can get it. Inquire at the guest service desk whether upgrades are available. Oftentimes, on cruises with unbooked rooms, the cruise line will be able to offer you an upgrade at a fraction of the usual price. However, this tactic is hit or miss, so make sure you’re booking a room you’ll be happy with if your upgrade dreams don’t come true.

A cruise ship is vastly different from a hotel, and you won’t want to miss the opportunity to see behind the scenes. Occasionally, large ships like those on Princess, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean have formal guided ship tours available for free to loyalty members or for a fee for regular guests. However, oftentimes a polite request will get you guided peek into areas of the ship you wouldn’t otherwise get to see, especially on smaller ships.

Cruises have perks for kids as well. Most large cruise lines will offer kids clubs with activities appropriate for a variety of age groups and supervision so parents can enjoy some alone time on the ship. Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises are just a few of the operators that offer free kids club activities.

You likely know that food is included in your cruise package, but many lines also offer free room service. Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruises are just a few of the operators offering complimentary room service. Some cruises offer this perk 24/7 while others only offer free room service during appointed hours, so ask the staff the rules of your particular voyage.

Start thinking about your next cruise as soon as you board your first. Booking a cruise while onboard the ship can result in significant discounts. You could even get bonus onboard credit or future cruise credits. Ask guest services how to make the reservation.

If you’re traveling to celebrate a milestone, many cruise lines will put in extra effort to make the journey special. Note in your reservation or to restaurant and cruise staff that you're traveling for a special occasion and you may get free extras like a cake sent to your room, complimentary after-dinner desserts, or even a song from the staff.

Some cruises won’t let you board until the strict boarding time, but others may allow early birds to head right to the ship. Arrive to the port well before your check-in time and ask about early embarkation. You’re more likely to be allowed to board early if the ship is ready ahead of schedule or if you are already designated to board within the first few groups.

On day one of the cruise, keep an eye out for spa open houses or spa tours. These walkthroughs are often offered on embarkation day and can include mini-massages, short treatment demos, and product samples. While the first day of a cruise is not the best time to book a full treatment—there will be curious passengers touring the spa throughout the day—spas may offer discounts for treatments booked while touring the facilities.

Don’t worry about shoving everything you need for a whirlwind itinerary into one tiny suitcase. On longer itineraries, often 10 days or more, cruise lines will offer pop-up free laundry service days. Keep an eye on the itinerary and an ear out for the announcement, or ask staff if they plan to run any of these events. Even if your cruise doesn’t offer free laundry service, many major cruise lines—including those on Regent Seven Seas, Viking, and Crystal cruises—have free self-service laundry available 24/7.

While asking directly can yield your desired results, a simple request may not be enough to secure the cruise perks you’re looking for. Luckily, there are a few ways you can guarantee access to secret perks that may elude fellow travelers.

Booking your cruise through a travel agent is a shortcut to secret perks you won’t find anywhere else. Oftentimes these agents have access to special discounts and deals that aren’t available to the public, such as onboard credit, discounts on group rates, free upgrades, or dining vouchers. Not having to deal with your own booking—especally if last-minute changes need to be made—is a perk in-and-of itself.

Joining a cruise line loyalty program opens a whole new world of hidden perks. Members of the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society get chef-selected treats delivered to their cabin, Celebrity Cruise Captain’s Club members get special spa access, and Norwegian Cruiseline’s Latitude Rewards recipients get first stab at reservation-only dining. Enroll in these clubs as soon as you book your first cruise to start earning rewards.